ryan and some other guys printed some t-shirts and some printed stickers off and once we were in iraq we came up with a patch. we couldn't keep enough of them. i had to re-order three times. >> reporter: what started out as a snicker turned into a phenomenon and then became a badge of honor. >> lionel ritchey's face is all over. >> been there done that all over the place. i'm so excited. >> reporter: he's never quite done this. unknowingly provided a much needed morale boost to soldiers serving half a world away. the son of an army captain ritchey insisted on meeting the men who gave new life to his old song. >> this is incredible. i keep waiting to be punked but it's not happening. how are you? >> pleasure to meet you. >> reporter: they are in the military and they are looking for something for morale for the troops. and they put something together that everyone could identify with. and it was my song. how does that feel? >> being the proud papa of "all night long," it's probably right up there with my kids. >> actually had a soldier trade his gps system for one of the patches. >> ho